Privacy Policy

The Foundation Fighting Blindness
Policy for the Protection of Personal Information

Our Privacy CommitmentAt the Foundation Fighting Blindness (the Foundation), your privacy is very important to us. That’s why our Board of Directors has enacted a Policy for the Protection of Personal Information to safeguard the privacy of our clients, donors, employees, directors, members and volunteers.

Our Policy reflects the requirements of the federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) to limit the collection, use and disclosure of personal information to only that which is needed to manage our relationships with our constituents. We have appointed a Privacy Officer on our Board of Directors, whose duty will be to ensure compliance.

The Foundation may, on occasion, compile and use data in an anonymous, aggregate form to produce statistical data for planning and research purposes and to meet reporting requirements of various funding bodies.

How we safeguard personal informationAt the Foundation, we employ physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to our systems and all personal information under our control against unauthorized access and use. Current anti-virus software is installed on all workstations. All updated files are downloaded on a weekly basis. Access to personal information is restricted to those who need to use that information in the course of their duties. Annually, all employees sign a confidentiality and privacy agreement.

Keeping information accurate and accessibleIt is important that your personal information is accurate, complete and accessible. Having accurate information about you enables us to give you the best possible service. You have the right to access, verify and amend the information we have about you. We rely on you to keep us informed of any changes, such as a change of address, telephone number or any other circumstances – simply contact our office.

Our ten privacy principles

The Foundation is committed to maintaining the accuracy, confidentiality and security of your personal information. As part of this commitment, the Foundation has adopted the following ten principles, based on the values set by the Canadian Standards Association’s Model Code for the Protection of Personal information and Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act.

1) Accountability The Foundation is responsible for maintaining and protecting the personal information under its control and shall designate one or more individuals to be accountable for compliance with these principles.

2) Identifying purposes The purpose for which personal information is collected shall be identified before or at the time the information is collected.

3) Consent Individual’s consent will be obtained for the collection, use or disclosure of personal information, except where the law provides an exemption.

4) Limiting collection The personal information we collect shall be limited only to that which is necessary for the purposes identified.

5) Limiting use, disclosure and retention Personal information shall only be used or disclosed for the purposes for which it was collected, unless an individual has otherwise consented or when it is required or permitted by law. Personal information shall be retained only as long as necessary for the fulfillment of those purposes.

6) Accuracy We shall keep personal information as accurate, complete and up-to-date as may be necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it is to be used.

7) Safeguards We shall keep personal information using security safeguards that are appropriate to the sensitivity level of the personal information received.

8) Openness The Foundation will provide information to individuals about our policies and procedures relating to the management of personal information that is under our control.

9) Individual’s access Upon request, an individual will be informed of the existence, use and disclosure of their personal information that is under our control, and may be given access to that personal information. Individuals are entitled to challenge the accuracy and completeness of that personal information and request that it be amended, if appropriate.

10) Handling inquiries or complaints Any questions concerning compliance with our privacy policies may be addressed to our Privacy Officer.